Monday, May 27, 2013

For the Ballers: Four Pieces a Man Should Invest In

The Gucci Carryall: A Bag You Won't Mind Carrying Around

Since I can remember, Gucci has boasted their signature red and–green three–stripe panel, found on everything from their horse–bit loafers to sunglasses.

But today, many “brand heavy” companies are finding themselves in somewhat of a bind — after over a decade spent pushing their brand affiliations through artfully placed logos, along with mainstream media pop culture icons taking it to the extreme extreme - many customers now prefer their luxury goods to be vaguely anonymous looking now, and rightfully so.

The Rule of Thumb: ONE piece of your ensemble may whisper a good brand, not scream it. It is no longer all about branding - in fact, it’s looked down on. Modesty has never gone out of style, gentlemen.

A Brioni (or Loro Piana) Overcoat: The Finishing Touch

Recommended for men who live in the chillier regions of Italy ( ;-) ) or aged 40 and above (generally), the overcoat of a well–dressed man isn't an afterthought, a throw–on, or a thing he should consider later. The overcoat is serious business, and those who know what they are doing and/or can afford the absolute best have turned to Brioni or Loro Piana to deliver overcoats worthy of the rest of their outfits.

Take this double–faced, double–breasted cashmere overcoat: with an impossibly soft hand, (I’ve seen this coat in person) and no interior support or lining whatsoever, it delivers unbelievable warmth with an expertly tailored fit. It also projects an authority that even the most confident among them could use. After dropping a pretty penny on this puppy, let yourself enjoy the added layer of warmth, style, and attitude. You deserve it.

The New, Updated Moncler V Coat

Moncler has found happy medium between tradition and technology: down–filled jackets with simple wind–resistant shells historically worn by upper elite members of both the fashion world and the sporting world as well. Today, the brand has teamed with Japanese designer Hiroki Nakamura with its heritage–inspired Moncler V line. This jacket brings a shell that has three times as much cotton in it as nylon — which makes it look like a blast from the past with it’s vintage patina, but delivers all the wind and water resistance you need.

On the flip side, look for something like this in puff vest form as well. Great for cities such as San Francisco (with climates known to shift dramatically during the day, depending on what neighborhood you may be in or what microclimate you’re dealing with), and for blustery spring and fall days in other cities that aren’t yet fully freezing.

This is a piece that you could definitely live without, but for any special occasion - these wonderful pants offer a welcome variation from suit pants. They are soft, lightweight, refined, sophisticated and effortless. Every man needs a pair of these at some point in his life.